the windy city soared almost 30 degrees above average monday to 70. >> it puts me in a great mood, but it doesn't feel like christmas. >> reporter: the far from holiday heat marched east where joggers in central park enjoyed a balmy 62-degree day, 15 degrees above the average temperature, and in mississippi, high temperatures and melting ice forced this skating rink to close. across the country there's been 400 record high temps this december alone. the reason, a strong ridge of high pressure, a kink in the jet stream, allowing springlike temperatures to sneak up where they don't usually hang out. so you're probably wondering and sitting at home thinking, now does this mean this winter is going to be mild as last? well, seasonal forecasting is a ways off, so i can't answer that one, but what i can tell you is all these hot spots up and down the northeast will be about 20 degrees cooler tomorrow. a cold front is coming through and outlook for the next two weeks takes us almost to christmas and brings almost everyone east of the rockies above average. diane? >> above average. love those